YIA Mural Dedication at Bahia Vista 2/29!
Universe of Imagination Mural Unveiling at Bahia Vista Elementary School on February 29
Youth in Arts, in partnership with San Rafael City Schools, is thrilled to announce the completion of the Universe of Imagination mural at Bahia Vista Elementary School. The public Mural Dedication will take place at Bahia Vista Elementary at 125 Bahia Way, at 2:45pm on February 29, 2024. This vibrant mural is the result of a collaboration between 20 emerging youth artists, aged 16 – 20, recruited from Marin County’s most racially marginalized and underserved neighborhoods, and professional BIPOC artists and educators, Fred Alvarado and Keena Azania Ramano.
The Universe of Imagination mural project was created as part of Youth in Arts’ I AM: Intensive Arts Mentorship and Job Skills Training program, which aims to center and amplify youth voice while providing job training and arts education opportunities. The program equips participants with foundational skills such as personal presentation, collaboration, communication, timeliness, and effort while encouraging a deep exploration of social justice themes through artistic practice.
“We are thrilled to deepen the Youth in Arts collaboration into our expanded learning programs and see the beautiful results at Bahia Vista,” said SRCS Superintendent Carmen Diaz Ghysels. “Seeing this mural come together through the summer and school year with family paint days, youth artists and professional muralists all working together to uplift Bahia vista and the Canal neighborhood has been truly inspiring.”
The I AM program provides early on-ramps to economic opportunity for marginalized youth, opening doors to the creative sector and contributing to community development initiatives. By addressing issues of racial disparity, the program seeks to create a more equitable future for Marin County’s most underserved neighborhoods and communities.
The Universe of Imagination exemplifies the power of partnership, empowering and inspiring students and their community. It is a reminder of the importance of arts education and the transformative power of creativity in San Rafael.